v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Soaked p. pr. & vb. n. Soaking. ] [ OE. soken, AS. socian to sioak, steep, fr. s&unr_;can, s&unr_;gan, to suck. See Suck. ] 1. To cause or suffer to lie in a fluid till the substance has imbibed what it can contain; to macerate in water or other liquid; to steep, as for the purpose of softening or freshening; as, to soak cloth; to soak bread; to soak salt meat, salt fish, or the like. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. To drench; to wet thoroughly. [ 1913 Webster ]
Their land shall be soaked with blood. Isa. xxiv. 7. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. To draw in by the pores, or through small passages; as, a sponge soaks up water; the skin soaks in moisture. [ 1913 Webster ]
4. To make (its way) by entering pores or interstices; -- often with through. [ 1913 Webster ]
The rivulet beneath soaked its way obscurely through wreaths of snow. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]
5. Fig.: To absorb; to drain. [ Obs. ] Sir H. Wotton. [ 1913 Webster ]